Fright Attendants

Its funny how the busiest cashier in any given grocery store is the brave one manning the self-scan booth. Let's hope the Technical Specialists sought by the Election board aren't as busy. The voting machines, ironically, are also equipped with touch screens and keypads just like their commercial comrades in the grocery store. Technology can scare people, especially the elderly and uninitiated, so I anticipate patience must be an important prerequisite for the job.

The Election Board is still accepting applications for the Technical Specialist position, and all the details are included below. This is a great paid opportunity to view the amalgamation of politics and technology up close and personal.

Please pass the word on to anybody who might be interested.

Following is a job description for the temporary position of Technical Specialist with the Board of Election Commissioners City of St Louis.

Tasks include the following:

•Perform all technical duties for opening and closing functions for the touch screen and optical scan voting system under the supervision of the Democrat and Republican Poll Supervisors
•Locate and solve technical problems and address voter questions at the polls
•Contact the Board of Election Commissioners help desk for assistance and close voting machine when warranted during the election
•Understand and complete the Specialists CVA form
•Know when to close out a voting system and set up a new voting system if needed during the election if a problem has occurred.
•Close down all voting systems after the election under the supervision of the Polling Supervisors
•Repack all technical equipment as directed

The Technical Specialist will attend an 8 hour training session and must pass a test at the end of the session in order to work at the polls on Election Day. The training will be at the Board of Election office at 300 N. Tucker from 8:00 - 5:00 with validated parking available at the Savvis Center Parking Garage. On Election Day, 8/8/06, the Technical Specialist would be required to arrive at their assigned polling site at 5:00 am to set up the machines and would remain at this site until approximately 7:00 - 8:00 pm when the Roving Deputies arrive to collect all Election Day results. Training sessions are scheduled for Saturday July 15, Friday July 21, Saturday July 22, Friday July 28 and Saturday July 29. Compensation for attending the training session and working Election Day will be $225.00, no withholding. We will also be utilizing the Technical Specialists for the November 2006 election. You will not have to attend another 8 hour training session if you can pass the test again. You will still be paid $225.00 for the 8 hour training session and working Election Day.

This is a great opportunity for paid community and civic minded service and the only requirement is they must be a registered voter in the state of Missouri! Technical Specialists will have the chance to demonstrate their commitment to democracy on the "front line" and learn the details of the election process. This would also be a great résumé builder!

Our deadline to fill 150 Technical Specialist positions is June 15, 2006. If you are interested and available to attend one of the training sessions and work on August 8, 2006, please contact Stephanie Doss 314-622-3546 or Summer Richardson at 314-622-4327.